Eventing Nation’s coverage of the 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products. We want to share the joy of eventing this week, so we invite you to nominate an AEC rider for our “Kentucky Performance of the Week” contest, happening now in partnership with Kentucky Performance Products. Learn more here.
We’re getting toward the end of #AEC2021, but we’ve still got loads of cross country to watch today as the Beginner Novice pairs take to Derek di Grazia’s track, which winds through many areas that the five-star track also touches. It’s a huge dream for a lot of riders to make it to American Eventing Championships, and as I’m fresh off doing five-star updates from Bicton I thought I’d pop on and do a little bit of Beginner Novice for you!
You can tune in to the free live stream here to follow along, and scores for the BN Rider division can be found here. Let’s get this party started!
#AEC2021: Website, Schedule, Stabling, Ride Times, Live Scores, Live Stream, Program, Live Stream, Course Maps, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram
2:19 p.m. ET: Well it’s been fun, everyone but I sadly have to leave you here! I hope you’ve enjoyed hanging out with me watching cross country today — stay tuned for the full reports from Bicton and AEC coming later today! Go eventing!
2:18 p.m. ET: Mardi Gras Magic and Amanda Steffen through the finish!
GIF via RNS Video Media.
2:15 p.m. ET: Another paint! I am loving this showcase of breeds in this division!
GIF via RNS Video Media.
2:11 p.m. ET: Now here’s a special one! We’ve loved following Crissa Gillette and EPA Wildfire, who came to the U.S. via the Goresbridge Go for Gold sale!
GIF via RNS Video Media.
2:09 p.m. ET: Jess Wymbs (who is helping us out on Instagram this weekend!) has a conversation with Weight of the World over the ditch and makes it over! Good girl:
GIF via RNS Video Media.
2:08 p.m. ET: Another Haflinger through the Head of the Lake!
GIF via RNS Video Media.
2:06 p.m. ET: So many more smiles on faces during this division — a good reminder of how much FUN we can have out there!
GIF via RNS Video Media.
2:03 p.m. ET: Now we’ve got a battle of the palominos on our hands! Also, please join me in starting an N’pressive fan club:
GIF via RNS Video Media.
2:02 p.m. ET: It’s all about those finish flag reactions, isn’t it?
GIF via RNS Video Media.
2:00 p.m. ET: Just a little stroll into the Head of the Lake for Amber Vannoy and HSH RiverSong:
GIF via RNS Video Media.
1:55 p.m. ET: Another look at some of the terrain here — again, a lot to have to pay attention to. Especially with no dedicated galloping lanes, the tracks tend to cross themselves here so the horses need to be in tune with their rider and stay in balance at the same time. Here’s a look at Nancy White and Wild Eyed And Wicked:
GIF via RNS Video Media.
1:54 p.m. ET: Oh no! Valerie looks to have missed a fence and has been pulled up. Bummer! Meanwhile, Morgan Cooper is whooping it up as she tackles the jumps after the head of the lake — she’s having a blast!
1:52 p.m. ET: Here’s a look at the first portion of the BN track, which has a bit of terrain as well as plenty to look at — this track winds through the infield and winds through some of the treeline here, so there is plenty to do and pay attention to! Here’s Valerie Johnson and Henson:
GIF via RNS Video Media.
1:48 p.m. ET: Uh oh! Christine Hryzak and FMF S.O.L. have a look at fence 3 but are clear on their second attempt.
1:46 p.m. ET: Ah, event horses. Will jump a house but will then spook at a leaf on the ground.
GIF via RNS Video Media.
1:45 p.m. ET: And here’s Quin Swiney with Riddle Me This:
GIF via RNS Video Media.
1:43 p.m. ET: And we’re back with the Beginner Novice cross country, and it’s a battle of the paints! Here’s Deena Zaitounh and See My Tuxedo:
GIF via RNS Video Media.
1:22 p.m. ET: This is adorable, we’ve got Dorothy and John Crowell on commentary today! A little husband and wife action behind the mic!
1:17 p.m. ET: While we check in on Novice Master show jumping, have you entered our Kentucky Performance of the Week contest from Kentucky Performance Products? It’s easy! Visit the Instagram post below to enter:
1:16 p.m. ET:
1:13 p.m. ET: Amanda and Lawman looking strong over the Fiesta fence at 12:
GIF via RNS Video Media.
1:12 p.m. ET: Here’s a look at that related distance after the Head of the Lake, as demonstrated by Stephanie Bristol and Ballenger.
GIF via RNS Video Media.
1:10 p.m. ET: Amanda Rudolph and Lawman are next out of the box, coming forward on a score of 33.4.
GIF via RNS Video Media.
1:09 p.m. ET: This is definitely a championship-caliber track designed by Derek di Grazia to really give riders some education on using the terrain and paying attention to how the undulation will affect their way of going. The fences may not be as big or as technical as higher levels, but the foundational skills that are being taught are the same.
1:08 p.m. ET: I love an eventing Saddlebred! Here’s Kimberly Moore and CH Good Deal – an experienced pair here with lots of miles at this level under their belt. A little peek at the ditch at 11 but they’re all clear:
GIF via RNS Video Media.
1:05 p.m. ET: Here’s a look at Jamie Merrill and Addi on their way home:
GIF via RNS Video Media
1:04 p.m. ET: And we’re back! We’re getting underway with the Beginner Novice Rider division and I’m here to hang out with you while we follow along on the USEA/RNS Video Media live stream!
12:26 p.m ET: Well, seeing how we’re still on a live stream break I am going to take this opportunity to get some food and coffee to refuel after my 3 a.m. alarm this morning — I’ll pick back up with some more live updates from Beginner Novice a bit later on, so check back this afternoon!
12:15 p.m. ET: Honestly, this is the type of content we need more of:
12:09 p.m. ET: While we’re waiting, let’s check in with your newly crowned Novice Rider champion!
11:58 a.m. ET: You can see what the riders in this division are tackling below and in more detail here. The optimum time is 5 minutes, 35 seconds with 18 jumping efforts. Apologies as I seem to have started these live updates right as the live stream went on break, but I’ll pick them back up as soon as it’s back!
Screenshot via CrossCountryApp.
11:53 a.m. ET: Right out of rhythm for Nicole Taylor and Indigo:
GIF via RNS Video Media.
11:51 a.m. ET: Actually a bit of a tricky question here at the water, as the horses have a lot to look at and a long way to trot through the water before coming out and making a right turn to a nice-sized related distance before turning around to head back towards home. Here’s Max O’Krepki and Sully:
GIF via RNS Video Media.
11:48 a.m. ET: A look at the Head of the Lake question as Charmaine Van der Merwe and Allaboutpaches navigate..
GIF via RNS Video Media.
11:47 a.m. ET Jodie Potts and Cat’s Confetti over the last!
GIF via RNS Video Media.
11:46 a.m. ET: I love that the lower level tracks get to go through the iconic Head of the Lake complex! Honestly, that’s the dream right there. Can we bring AEC back to Kentucky, please?
